Episode Summary
Chong Guang's plan to announce Feng Lixue as the future empress hits a snag when he can't activate the Tianmo Order. He seeks out Tu Shuo and learns about Ye Yuan's plan involving Mo Xiao. Mo Xiao's demonic side emerges, and his identity is revealed. He enters the Demon-Suppressing Palace, but upon exiting, he's accused of being a demon. In a tragic turn, Xie Lingyun stabs Mo Xiao, believing he's a killer.
Spoiler Alert
So, we kick things off with Chong Guang, ever the showman, dragging a dolled-up Feng Lixue to the highest point of the Tianmo Abyss. His big announcement? Feng Lixue is about to become the new queen, the "Zunhou." To add some official flair, he has Chang Ming present the Tianmo Order. Wu Shuang, who’s also there, looks pretty stunned at first. But then comes the truly delicious moment: Chong Guang tries, and fails, multiple times to activate the Tianmo soldiers with the Order. You could practically hear the crickets. Wu Shuang just bursts out laughing – a genuine, "I-can't-believe-this-guy" laugh. Even Feng Lixue, bless her heart, woodenly mutters "failed." Chong Guang admits, yeah, it’s a tad embarrassing. But hey, no worries, he’s got a plan to figure out how to make the Order work, a plan he’s apparently had up his sleeve all along. Classic Chong Guang.
His next move is to find Tu Shuo, who’s been imprisoned in the Tianmo Abyss for ages for, you guessed it, opposing Chong Guang becoming the big boss, the "Zunzhu." Turns out, Tu Shuo’s demonic powers can’t even touch Chong Guang. From Tu Shuo, Chong Guang learns that this whole mess, including his current inability to command the demon army, is part of Ye Yuan's grand scheme. Years ago, Ye Yuan’s own plans went south, but not before he heard a baby crying from under Mount Buzhou – his kid! So, he handed over the Demon Clan to Chong Guang, hoping Chong Guang would, with his own ambition, reassemble the Tianmo Order. Here’s the kicker: only Ye Yuan’s biological son can actually summon the Tianmo army. This means Chong Guang, in his quest for power, has basically been setting the stage for someone else. And who is this mystery heir? Chong Guang’s already figured it out: it’s Mo Xiao.
Meanwhile, Mo Xiao is having a really bad day. His inner demonic nature is flaring up, and Xuan Qing totally sees him for what he is. Yuan Beichen drops the pretense; the cat’s out of the bag regarding Mo Xiao’s identity. Xuyuan Yunchao also puts two and two together, realizing that Mo Xiao, not just Xie Lingyun, could have activated the demon-dispelling array back in the day. Chong Guang’s recent failure with the Order? It’s because Mo Xiao wasn't there.
Back with Chong Guang, he’s trying to serenade Feng Lixue with some music, but she’s lost in thought, replaying memories of her time with Mo Xiao. She actually reacts to these thoughts! Just then, Chang Ming reports that Mo Xiao is about to enter the Demon-Suppressing Palace (Fumo Gong). Feng Lixue gets even more agitated, and Chong Guang quickly pulls her into a protective embrace. Smooth.
Mo Xiao himself has been wrestling with who he is and why he’s got so much demonic energy. Yuan Beichen tried to pass it off as just being injured by demonic forces, but Mo Xiao’s not buying it.
Once Mo Xiao regains some clarity, he kneels before Yuan Beichen, full of remorse. Yuan Beichen reminds him of his master's dying wish: to stay true to himself. Whether he survives the Demon-Suppressing Palace depends entirely on his own willpower. Yuan Beichen also pulls Xuan Qing aside, making him promise to protect himself no matter what and not to intervene for Mo Xiao, because he has something crucial for Xuan Qing to do. The bottom line: Mo Xiao, demon or not, cannot come to harm.
So, Mo Xiao arrives at the Demon-Suppressing Palace, with a crowd gathered outside. After bowing to Yuan Beichen, he steps inside. Everyone respectfully vows to wait for his return.
Also deeply invested in this are Wu Shuang and Chong Guang. Chong Guang shows up with Feng Lixue, Xuyuan Yunchao, and Wu Shuang. Wu Shuang is furious with Chong Guang for deceiving her for so many years. Chong Guang offers to help rescue Mo Xiao, but Wu Shuang is having none of it, confident she can save her son herself. Go, mama bear!
Inside the Demon-Suppressing Palace, Mo Xiao suddenly snaps his eyes open, declaring that such a weak array can't possibly hold him. He starts attacking the formation. Then, Feng Yue (the spirit of his sword, perhaps?) appears, reminding him that as long as his heart is righteous, he has nothing to fear. With renewed determination, Mo Xiao begins the process of refining the demonic energy within him.
Outside, everyone is on pins and needles. Then, Mo Xiao emerges, enveloped in a black aura. For a hot second, everyone rejoices, thinking he’s made it through. But on closer inspection, a shining mark appears on his forehead. Lu Jianchuan, ever the troublemaker, immediately accuses Mo Xiao of having become a demon and attacks. He gets promptly knocked away. Wu Shuang flies in, recognizing the mark as the Tianmo Mark – confirming he is her son. Murong Changfeng orders Mo Xiao’s arrest. Wu Shuang, fiercely protective, starts fighting off the Shushan disciples. Murong Changfeng draws his sword against Wu Shuang. Mo Xiao, still in denial about being a demon, lets out a roar and suddenly levitates. Yuan Beichen grabs his foot, desperately trying to convince him he’s not a demon, but the successor of the Sword Master. Chong Guang, however, tells Yuan Beichen to quit dreaming; Mo Xiao is the heir of demons. Mo Xiao roars again, sending Yuan Beichen flying, even as Yuan Beichen screams at him not to succumb to the demonic transformation. Chong Guang notices Mo Xiao is trying to use his Feng Yue sword to suppress the demonic energy and orders Feng Lixue to snatch it. Mo Xiao, already distracted by his fear of hurting Feng Lixue, hesitates, giving Chong Guang the opening he needs to help Feng Lixue take the sword.
Murong Changfeng is still baying for Mo Xiao’s blood. Mo Xiao, losing control and terrified of hurting the Shushan people, flies off. Murong Changfeng gives chase. Yuan Beichen begs Xuan Qing to go protect Mo Xiao, but Xuan Qing seems to only care about Yuan Beichen’s safety at this point.
Then, things take an even darker turn. Lu Jianchuan, leading a group to hunt down Mo Xiao, starts to demonize himself! His own sect members see it. Panicking about being exposed, Lu Jianchuan brutally murders all of them. Mo Xiao, witnessing this horror, is enraged and grabs Lu Jianchuan by the throat, accusing him of slaughtering their own. Just then, Xie Lingyun and others arrive to see Mo Xiao seemingly throttling Lu Jianchuan over the bodies of their comrades. Perfect timing, right? Murong Changfeng orders an array to execute Mo Xiao. A golden light streaks towards Mo Xiao, but Xie Lingyun, in a shocking move, breaks through the sword formation and stabs Mo Xiao right in the chest.
Mo Xiao, bleeding and utterly devastated, can’t believe Xie Lingyun, his childhood friend, would do this. Memories of their past flash before his eyes. He’s heartbroken that Xie Lingyun doesn’t trust him. Xie Lingyun, tears streaming down his face, claims Mo Xiao has become a demon and he couldn’t stand by and watch him kill their sect brothers. Mo Xiao tries to explain that he wasn’t the one who killed them... but it might be too late.
And that, my friends, is where they leave us hanging! What a brutal, emotional rollercoaster. We'll have to wait and see how Mo Xiao gets out of this one, or if he gets out of this one. Chinese dramas, am I right? They really know how to pile on the angst.
